Folding chair



Jun'E'ZF, 1925., I 1,543,598

C. A. BUFFINGTON FOLDING CHAIR Original Filed July 16, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet. 3

be upset to lock the nuts. It will be noted that the rod 18 forms an additional brace for the main frame.

The seat, framell is oscillated on the rod 18. The sleeves 20 and washers 120 serve to being preferably pivoted at its upper end,

by rivets 27 or other suitable means, to and on the inside of a corresponding one of the twoside members o'f-the main frame 10. Each of these rear legs 26 is movable from extended position (Fig. 1) to a folded position within the bounding front .and rear planes of the main frame 10 or in this specific instance to a position between the sides of the seat frame and main frame (see Figs. 6 and 7). The rear legs 26 are preferablyconstructed of round metallic stock suitably fiattened adjacent the pivots and preferably assuming the form shown in Fig. 3 in which their lower ends are united by an integral cross member30 to form a bailshaped or U-shaped rear leg structure.

Means are provided whereby when either seat structure or rear le structure is moved from extended. to 'fo ded' osition, or vice versa, the other of said structures is correspondingly and automatically moved. This meansalso preferably acts to limit the downward movement-of the seat and the outward movement of the rear'legs when the chair is opened. 'A preferred form of such means comprises loops each.

provided with a right angled portion 36 rigidly secured, as by means of screws, nails or rivets, to a corresponding one of the side members of the seat frame 11 on the outside thereof. These loop members are preferably constructed of steel. or other suitable.

material and each of the'rear legs 26 extends through the somewhat elliptical eyeof a corresponding one-of said loops. The design is such that when the parts are in the occupant-supporting position the engagcment of the loops with the rear legs 12 limits the downward movement of the seat to the osition shown in Fig. l and also limits 1: e outward movement of the rear legs 26 to the position there shown. By virtue of these above described loops, when either the seat structure 11 or the rear leg structure is moved from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 7 or vice versa, the other of said structures will be automatically and correspondingly moved to one or the other of the two positions illustrated inFigs. 1 and 7. It will be noted that each loop 35 comprises a laterally projecting pair of elements fixed to a corresponding side of the seat frame and chair described above will now be and rearwardly of the arch 13 so as to form in conjunction therewith a comfortable back rest for an occupant of the chain.

The operation and advantages of the apparout and need not be enumerated at len It will be seen that I have provided afolding chair which is simple in construction, strong and. durable, comfortable and extremely compact when folded. In folded position (Fig. 7) all of the parts of the chair lie substantially within the bounding front and rear frame. Indeed, with t e possible exception lanes of the main of the upholstery 17 which may be omitted if desired,-all of the parts actually lie between the bounding front and rear planes of the main frame 10, when folded. And, furthermore, the upholstery 17 would 'be flattened or compressed within the main frames, when the ichairs.v are folded and f piled, each ion to Y-of -another,"so that a large number of c small space.

' Various modifications may without departing from the invention as defined in certain of of the present application. For example, the loops 35 may be replaced by two pairs of pins135 of which each pair projects laterally from a corresponding side (see Fig.1

1) of the'seat frame 11. As in the case of the loops35. the-pins'1'35 form a sliding connection between the seat frame and rear legs and limit the downward movement of the seat .andoutward movement of the rear legs. Again the cross memberBO instead of being at '1 the lower]. extremities-"of the 1' rear legs 26- may be placed higher, as at 130- k ey stored in 1 I 10 be resorted t .scope'of m g the claims inFig. 3, in which case the rear leg struc-' ture. 1s l l -sh'aped instead of bail-shaped.

the main frame 10, instead of be- .made of two side members to which a Furthermore, being constructed of bent-wood, ma

back rest 113 is suitablysecured (see Fig.

3).- These" and other modifications may be resorted to without departing from'the scope of my invention as defined in the claims hereto appended.

In addition to advantages above set forth,

it should be noted that the chair illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, etc., is one which may be manufactured and assembled with great facility. The main frame, as above pointed T out, may be constructed of a sin le straight hape illus-- in position by the return of the sides of the scat frame to normal position. The other operations in assembling the chair are so simple as not to require further explanation;

This application is a continuation of my copending application, filed July 16, 1921, Serial No. 485,246,

In accordance with the'provisions' of the patent statutes I have described the principles of operation of my inventiomtogether with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the construction shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by other 'means within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is 1. The combination in a-folding chair, with a main frame having uprights the u per portions of which are reduced to orm shoulders and also having an arch connecting the upper reduced portions of the u rights, of an auxiliary arch arranged in f" parallelisn'ri to the upper reduced portions of the uprights andabuttin at its ends against the said shoulders and xedlyf'connected to the ilpri-ghts.

I 2. A folding chair comprising-spaced up rights, a seat arranged between and pivotally connected with and spaced from the said uprights, I the. said pivotal connection being 5 at an intermediate point in the length of the seat, loops fixed to and extending laterally i. fromfopposite sides of therear end ortion of the seat, and rear legs extending t rough said loops and 'pivota ly-connected to the inner sides of the said spaced'uprightsi I 3. A folding chair comprising'in combination; a main frame ,having substantially straight side members, whose lower portions constitute legs, and back-rest means connecting the upper portions of said side members; a seat and means connecting the-same 'to said main frame whereby said seat may he moved from occupant-supporting position, into .said main frame; rear legs each independently pivotally connected to a corresponding one of the side members of said main frame below said back-rest means whereby said rear legs may each be moved from extended position, into said main frame between the sides of the latter and said seat; and slidable means interconnecting said seat and rear legs whereby movement of said seat from extended to collapsed position imparts corresponding movement to said rear legs; the horizontal distance between the lower corresponding rear leg being no greater than the horizontally projected distance between the upper and lower ends of said main frame when thechair is in occupant-supporting position.

4. A folding chair comprising in combination; a mam frame having substantially straight side members whose lower portions constitute legs, and back-rest means connecting the upper portions of said side members; a seat frame pivoted within said main frame;'rear legs pivoted within said main frame and each movable between corresponding sides of said seat frame and main frame; and a plurality of pairs of elements, each pair belng rigidly secured to a corresponding one of the side members of said seat frame;

each of said rear legs extending between the two elements of a corresponding pair of said elements.

5. A folding chair comprising a main frame having spaced uprig ts, a rigid seat arranged between said uprights and having lateral loops fixed to and extending from the outer edges of its rear portion, said loops, slightly inclined relative to the length of the end of each front leg and the lower endof its seat a transverse rod extending through the 4 uprights and the seat and pivotally connecting the latter to the former, spacing means and a bai shaped prop having side por- 'tions extended throu h the inclined loops on the seat and pivotally connected adjacent [to their endsto the inner sides of the up rights of the main frame, said seat and bail-shaped prop movable to and from positions entirely w thin the plane of the spaced uprights.

6. A folding chair comprising in 'com- I bination; a main frame having substantial- Straight B de members, whose lower p 'vtions constitute legs, and back-rest means connecting the upper portionsof said side members; aiseat and means locatedibetween the frontand near planes of said side memhers and connecting the seat to said main frame whereby said seat may be moved from occupant-supporting position, into said main frame; rear legs each independently pivotally connected to a corresponding one of the side members of said mam frame below said back-rest means whereby said rear legs may v each be moved from extended position into said main frame between the sides of the latter and said seat; and slidable means interconnecting said seat and rear legs whereb movement of said seat from extended to co lapsed position imparts corresponding movement to said rear legs; the horizontal distance between the lower end of each front leg and the lower end of its corresponding rear leg bein' i no greater than the horizontally projecte distance between the upper and mi :1 I.

lie

lower ends of said main frame when the chair is in occupant-supporting position.

7. A folding chair in which all of the parts areadapted to fold substantially within the bounding front and rear planes of the main frame and comprising in combination; a main frame having substantially straight side members, whose lower portions constitute legs, and backrest means connecting the upper portions of said side members; a seat and means connecting the same to said main frame whereby said seat may be moved from occupant-supporting position, into said main frame; rear legs each independently pivotally connected to a corresponding one of the side members of said main frame below said backrest means whereby said rear legs may each be moved from extended position, into said main frame between the, sides of the latter and said seat; and means interconnecting said seat frame and rear legs whereby movement of said seat from extended to collapsed position imparts corresponding movement to said rear legs, one of said second and last named means comprising sliding connections; the horizontal distance between the lower end of each front leg and the lower end of its corresponding rear leg being no greater than the horizontally projected distance between the upper and lower ends of said main frame when the chair is in occupant-supporting position.

8. A foldin chair comprising in combination, a main frame having spaced side members, whose lower portions constitute legs, and back-rest means connecting the upper portions of said side members; a seat pivoted within said main frame; rear legs pivoted within said main frame and each movable between corresponding sides of said seat and main frame; and a plurality of pairs of elements, each pair being rigidly secured to a corresponding one of the sides of said seat, each of said rear legs extending between the two elements of a corresponding pair of said elements. v.

9. A folding chair comprising in combination, a main frame having spaced side members, whose lower portions'constitnte legs, and a back-rest connecting the upper portions of said side members; a seat and means connecting the same to said main frame whereby said seat may be moved from oc-' cupant-supporting position, into said main frame, said means including pivot rod connections which extend from oppmite sides of said seat into the inner sides of said main frame; rear legs each independently pivotally connected to a corresponding one of the side members of said main frame below said back-rest whereby said rear legs may each be moved from extended position, into said main frame between the sides of the latter and said seat; and slidable means interconnecting said Seat and rear legs whereby movement, of said seat from tended to collapsed position imparts corresponding movement to said rear legs; the horizontal distance between the lower end of each front leg and the lower end of its corresponding rear legv being no greater than the horizontally projected distance between the upper and. lower ends of said main frame when the chair is in occupant-supporting position.

10. A folding chair comprising in com bination a main frame having spacedside members, whose lower portions constitute legs, and a back-rest connecting the upper portions of said side members; a seat and means connecting the same to said main frame whereby said seat may be moved from occnpantsupporting position, into said mainframe, said means including pivot rod connections which extend from opposite sides of said seat into the inner sides of said -main frame; rear legs each independently pivotally connected to a corresponding one of the side members of said main frame below said back-rest whereby said rear legs may each be moved from extended position,

into said main frame between the sides of the latter and said seat; and means interconnecting said seat frame and rear legs wh'ereby movement of said seat from extended to collapsed position imparts corresponding movement to said rear legs, one of said first and last named means comprising sliding connections; the horizontal distance between the lower end of each front leg and the lower end of its corresponding rear leg be 1 ing no greater than the horizontally pro" jected distance between the upper and lower each movable between corresponding Sides of said seat and main frame, and sliding connections between said seat and rear legs.

'12. A folding chair comprising in combination, a main frame having spaced side members, whose lower portions constitute legs, and back-rest means connecting the upper portions of said side members; a seat pivoted within said mainframe; a plurality of pairs of elements, each pair being rigidly secured to a corresponding one of the sides of said seat; members adapted to extend rearwardly, each of said last named members being pivoted within said main frame, each movable between corresponding sides of said seat and main frame, and each extending between the two elements of a correspondin pair of said elements.

13. A olding chair comprising s aced uprights, a seat arranged between an pivotally connected with and spaced from said uprights, the said pivotal connection being at an intermediate point in the length of the seat, loops fixed to and extending laterally from opposite sides of the rear end portion of the seat, and members extending t rough said loops and pivotally connected to the inner sides of the said spaced uprights.

14. A folding chair comprising in combination, a bent wood main frame whose shape is substantially. that of an inverted U and whose lower ends constitute front legs of the chair and the U-bend of which is adapt ed to be engaged by the back of a seated occupant of the chair, a seat, a pivot rod extending from one side of said main frame to the other and upon which said seat is mounted, a pair of metallic rods each piv-- oted within said main frame and each mov: able between corresponding sides of said seat and main frame, and sliding connections between said seat and last named rods.

15. A folding chair comprising in combination a bent wood main frame whose shape is substantially that of an inverted U and whose lower ends constitute front le S of the chair, a bent wood U-shaped seat rame, a pivot rod extending from one side of said main frame through said seat frame to the other side of the main frame, a pair of metallic rods each pivoted within said main frame and each movable between corresponding sides of said frame, and sliding connections between said seat frame and last named rods.

16. A folding chair comprising in combination; a main frame having spaced side members, whose lower portions constitute legs, and back-rest means connecting the upper portions of said side-members, a seat pivoted within said main frame, rear legs each independently pivotally connected to a corresponding one of the side'members of said main frame above the pivotal axis of said seatand each movable from extended position, into said main frame between the sides of the latter and said seat; and slidable means interconnecting said seat and rear legs, the distance between said slidable means and the pivotal axis of said seat being less than one-third the distance between the pivotal axis of said seat and the lower ends of the side members of the main frame; and the distance between the lower end of each front leg and the lower end of its corresponding rear leg being no greater than the horizontally projected distance between the upper and lower ends of said main frame when the chair is in occupant-supporting position.

to the other side of seat frame and main:

distance between the 17. A folding chair comprising in combination, a U- haped, bent-wood, main frame whose lower ends constitute legs; a U- shaped, bent-wood, seat extending through the sides of said main frame and seat frame, said seat frame being provided with a seat-receiving groove, a seat mounted in said groove, and rear legs movablyconnected to said main frame.

18. A folding chair comprising spaced up rights, a seat arranged between and plvotally connected with said uprights, the sa1d frame; a pivot rod pivotal connection being at an intermediate point in the length of the seat, loops fixed to and extending laterally from opposite sides of the rear end portion of the seat, and rear legs extending through said loops and pivotally connected to said spaced uprights.

19. A folding chair comprising in combination, a main frame whose shape is that of an inverted U and whose lower ends constitute front legs of the chair, a U-shaped seat frame, a pivot rod extending fromvone .side of said main frame through said seat frame the main frame, a pair of metallic rear legs each independently pivotally connected to acorresponding one -of the sides of said main frame below the curved upper portion and movable into said main frame, and sliding connections between said seat frame and last named members whereby movement of said seat from extended to collapsed position imparts corresponding movement to said rear legs; the distance between the lower end of each front leg and the lower end of its corresponding rear leg being no greater than the horizontally projected distance between the upper and lower, ends of said main frame when the chair is in occupant-supporting position.

20. A folding chair comprising in combination, a main frame whose shape is that of an inverted U and whose lower ends constitute front legs of the chair, a seat, a pivot 'rod extending from one side of said main frame to the other and upon which said seat I is pivoted, a pair of metallic integrally connected rear legs each independently pivotally connected to a corresponding one of the sides of said main frame below the upper curved portion and movable to a position within the main frame, and sliding connections between said seat and rear legs; the lower end of each front leg and the lower end of its corresponding rear leg being no greater than the horizontally projected distance between the upper and lower ends of said main frame when the chair is in occupant-supporting position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

CALVIN ALLEN BU'FFINGTON. 

